Stadium Strike Settlement Talks Intensify In South Africa

Unions representing striking construction workers will meet with the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors, the 2010 Local Organising Committee and the Labour Department today...

Workers downed tools yesterday at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium, Cape Town's Green Point Stadium and the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. They are demanding a 13 per cent wage increase.

Cosatu says the dispute is not aimed at disrupting 2010 FIFA World Cup preparations.

“It is a normal dispute within the entire sector. Cosatu, and the construction workers, are as passionate about the 2010 World Cup as anyone, and will do everything possible to ensure its success,” the trade federation's spokesperson Patrick Craven said.

“But we will not tolerate the stadiums being built by workers who are underpaid.

“Cosatu pledges its total support to the construction workers, who are preparing to strike and protest today in support of their fully justified 13 per cent wage claim,” said Craven.

CEO of the 2010 Organising Committee Danny Jordaan said in a statement released that he believes the deadlock will resolved soon and that the stadiums will be completed on schedule.

“The construction workers have been the lifeblood of the 2010 FIFA World Cup project. Their hard work has ensured that we are on track to meet our deadlines and that our stadiums will be among the best in the world next year," he said.

“It has always been the position of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) that we respect the right of construction workers on the 2010 FIFA World Cup stadiums to strike if they feel they have legitimate grievances.

“This is a right enshrined in our country's Constitution. We believe that the strike will be resolved as soon as possible and remain confident that the stadiums will be completed on schedule.”